Houston LRT lines to debut in December

Two new light rail lines in Houston's expanding LRT system will open in late December, and not during the fall as originally expected, Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County (Metro) said Monday, July 21, 2014.

"It is scheduled as of now to open Christmas week," technically early winter, Metro Chairman Gilbert Garcia told local media. "It is going to open before the end of the year." Both lines will open on the same day, Metro says.

The delay results from completion of some construction details, along with replacement of defective axle counters discovered during their installation.

CAF USA, supplying the light rail vehicles, reportedly also was behind its previous schedule but will be able to supply enough rolling stock for the December opening.